On Friday's show: As voters contemplate a school bond and battles over public education focus on resources and curriculum, there’s a more fundamental challenge schools face -- too many students not showing up to class. Producer Celeste Diaz Schurman talks with HISD Superintendent Mike Miles about the impact of chronic absenteeism at Houston-area schools.

Also this hour: The Texans lost last night...to the Jets? We talk about it with Jeff Balke, who co-hosts the Bleav in Astros podcast and writes for Houston Press.

Then, from many HISD middle and high schools scrapping their Halloween celebrations after new guidance from the district, to Port Arthur being named one of the worst small cities in the country, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we preview the Houston Music Festival, featuring performances of chamber music, improv, and spoken word, including a concert of music with Houston ties, including covers of Beyoncé and Lizzo.